There are many things that you should know before you buy a new or used vehicle. The Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of BC (VSA) has a lot of information available to help you in preparing to purchase or lease a vehicle. Check-lists and reference materials are available to assist you in learning more about what to do before, during and after your vehicle purchase.

OVERVIEW OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE SALES AUTHORITY

The Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of British Columbia (VSA) is a non-profit organization delegated the authority by the Province of BC to administer and enforce the Motor Dealer Act and its regulations.

Objectives

The objectives of the VSA are to:

• Administer and enforce the Motor Dealer Act and all related regulations.
• Increase consumer awareness and enhance consumer confidence.
• Increase professionalism for all those working within the retail motor dealer industry.

How do these licensing regulations affect me?

The VSA regulates and licenses approximately 1,700 motor dealers as well as their sales management and staff. It oversees the consumer protection legislation that applies to licensed motor dealers including standard setting and enforcement, complaint resolution, consumer protection and public education. It is mandatory for all motor dealers and their retail vehicle sales staff to be licensed.

The benefits to the consumer are:

• All motor dealers and their sales staff will be easily identified as licensed members of the VSA.
• The ability to make a confident, informed buying decision.
• Access to resources to assist consumers in purchasing a motor vehicle.
• A Consumer Enquiry line to answer questions you have prior to, or after your vehicle purchase.
• Assistance with consumer complaint resolutions.

Consumer services

Next to purchasing a home, the process of purchasing a motor vehicle can be one of the most stressful and costly endeavours you will undertake. The VSA provides the tools and information to help you, the consumer, make an informed buying decision.

The Motor Dealer Act requires full disclosure of essential details about motor vehicles, as well as financing conditions and warranties. For instance, there are rules against tampering with odometers on used vehicles, and rules requiring money received from consignment sales to be held in trust. Under the direction of the VSA, motor dealers are required to contribute to a compensation fund for consumers who suffer financial losses in cases of dealership failures or violations of the legislation.

The Motor Dealer Customer Compensation Fund is administered by the VSA. The fund provides compensation to consumers where the situation warrants it. A separate and independent board reviews and decides on claims to the fund.

Consumer enquiries and complaints

The Links section on the website will assist you in accessing other helpful resources.

The VSA’s trained staff can answer questions you have about purchasing a new or used vehicle. They can assist you in filing a complaint, if you have problems that you cannot resolve after purchase, or if the sales professional or dealership you’ve purchased from has not treated you in a legal manner.

You can reach the VSA through our dedicated consumer enquiry email address, enquiry@mvsabc.com, or by phone at 1-877-294-9889.

"If it seems too good to be true, it probably is."

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